# O King of nations
*2008-12-20*

> Bill Young reflects on the kingship of Christ during the fourth week of Advent, drawing from the writings of Rev. James Field.

## A Prayer for Favors

Before diving into today's reflections, I want to share a prayer that my aunt, Sister Mary Teresa, gave me many years ago called the 'Prayer to Obtain Favors': Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at midnight in Bethlehem in piercing cold. Today, the hour of our salvation, O my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

## The King of Everything

Today's reflection is titled 'O King of the Nations.' In North America, we don't give much thought to royalty. The United States took care of George III a long time ago, and while Canada has a bond with the ancient throne, it is not especially tight. We feel there is no room for royalty—except here comes the King of everything and everyone. The anthem for the day offers us the image of a king we can believe in: O King of nations, the only joy of the human heart, O keystone of the mighty arches of humankind, come and save us.

## From Dust to Everlasting Life

The reflection mentions centuries that have vanished into the dust. This reminds me of the sobering greeting we receive on Ash Wednesday when ashes are smudged onto our brows: 'You are dust, and dust you shall return.' Today's prayer fills that out. It says that while we return to the dust, there is a bigger plan. The dust cannot hold us because we belong to the One who is stronger than death.

## Participating in Christ's Kingship

As Christians, we are all appointed. Just as Christ was appointed priest, prophet, and king, we are called to live as members of His body, sharing in everlasting life. We participate in the kingship of Christ by making sure the world is ordered rightly, by speaking up for the voiceless, and by narrowing this world with a certain bias for life, peace, and justice. Today is a good day to reflect on how we can participate in the rule of Christ.

*We are called to participate in the kingship of Christ by promoting life, peace, and justice in the world.*